Trimming and pruning machine.



J. E. KRAYER.

TRIMMING AND PRUNING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED MAR. 23, 1911.:

7 1,055,476, Patented Mar. 11,1913.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

aw-Memes J. E. KRAYER.

TRIMMING AND PRUNING MACHINE. APPLICATION TILED MAR. 23, 1911.

1,055,476. Patented Mar. 11,1913.-

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

0 (liter/1g llhllilED JACQUES EDWARD KRAYER, OF VILLANOVA, EEHNSYLVANEA.

TRIMEKING AND IR'UNING MACHINE.

Specification of Zetters Patent. Pggcfgggtg i M 311, fifl3 Application filed March 23. 1811. Serial No. 816,959.

T 0 all zv/zom it may concern Be it known that I, Jaconns EDW'ARD KRAYER, a citizen of the llnited States, residing at Villanova, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Trimming and Pruning Machines.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements for trimming and pruning hedges and shrubbery, the object being to protide a machine which is exceedingly simple and cheap in construction, and

one which 'ca,n be operated either manually or by motor power.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine, which can be operated to trim at diiterent heights both sides of a hedge at the same time, the machine to be placed on the most convenientside.

Another object of my invention is to p10- vide a machine which is provided with a pair of tubular inclosed driving shafts to which the flexible shafts. for operating ,the

)runin imilements are connected, both.

shafts being driven at the same rate of speed. Also to provide a novel form of pruning implementwhich is exceedingly simple in construction, and one which is very etlective when in use.

\Vith these objects in view, the invention consists inthe novel features construct-ion, combination and arrangements, of parts hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved machine. 2 is a horizontal section through the. hedge trimming implement. through the same. Fig. 4: is a vertical section taken at right angles of that of Fig. 3. Fig. is a horizontal section through the implement handle showing the manner of mounting the shaft. ig. (5 is a plan View of a modified form of cutting implement which is also adapted to be used for trin ming shrubbery and trees of all kind. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same partly in section.

In carrying out my improved invention, I employ a wheeled truck A provided with a suitable handle for moving the same, said truck having bearings as at B arranged thereon at one end in which is mounted a shaft (7 having a ttv wheel C at one end and a crank handle at the other end for op- .Fig. 8 is a vertical section e ating the same. The body at the truck is cutaway as shown at A to receive a beveled gear D, which is fixed on the shaft, C which meshes with a beveled gear E carried by a shaft F which is mounteo. in suitable bearings F and is iii-closed a tubular sleeve F It will be seen ti when the shaft C is rotated by the o o the shaft l will be'rotated throngl L medium of the beveled gears in order to drive flexible shaft which will be later des i Arranged on the body of the t1 cl; A are extension bear'ngs G which Worm-l vertically in brackets G, the beatings being provided with vertically arranged rack bars G A transverse shaft G is provided with suitable gears which mesh with the teeth of the racltbars G and the shaft G is provided with a suitable operating handle G By rotating shaft the bearings G will be raised or lowered to suit the heightofthe hedge to be trimmed. In these bearings is mounted a shaft H suitably inclosed and which carries a sprocket ll one over which a sprocket chain sprocket wheel I fixed on the sh cent to the crank C whereb will be rotated at the cutting implement comprising av stationary portion hi and a movable portion L, said shafts being mountedin suitable bearings oat tubular handles N used for supporting and handling the cutting implements as will be later described. I

In Figs. 2, 3 and 4, I show a cutting implement especiallj adapted to be used for trimming hedges, which comprises aplate having guard fingers L extending therefrom, over which work cutting blades L said blades being carried by a. boxing L mounted in a suitable housing L in which is mounted the end of the shatt K which in this form is provided with a crank portion K carrying a rotatable sleeve or roller K adapted to reciprocate the cutting blades when the shaft is rotated. By employing a machine provided with two flexible shafts, and providing a cutting implement for each shaft two men can engage at the sametime in trimming the hedge, one upon one side and upon the other, the device being merits especially adapted to be used for outting shrubbei'y shaft K. Said shaft P carries :1 beveled gear moved along the hedge by :1 third man, Who an also operate the implement driving mechanism when the some is driven by hand power.

In Figs. 6 and 7 1 show the cutting impleand trees, and 'compiising a supporting arm M mounted on the sleeve of one of the shafts K and carrying guard. fingers M which .co-act with a rotatable knife M carried by a vertical shaft P the upper end ofwhich is mounted in the arm M and the lower endis mounted in a suitable frame Q arranged on the end of the P which meshes-With a beveled gear Q carried by the shaft K in such a manner that the knife will be rotated when the shaft K is rotated. The fingers M correspond to the guards L" and when said fingers are inserted. among the small branches of a bush or I tree the branches caught between the fingers shaft the shaft having a crank portion and being jouinaled in said housing on opposite sides of said crank portion, a boxing ermnged within said housing and adapted to move back and forth therein, the crank portion of the shaft working in said boxing, a sleeve loosely mounted. upon said crank portion, and cutting blades carried by-said boxing and adapted to Work over said guards.

Jiicones EDWARD KRAYER.

Witnesses Lix'onmion Bimini, SAMUEL J. lliiCLAUGHLlN. 

